17 Site Selection SITE SELECTION

A major component of the master plan is the identification and compilation of potential future memorial and museum sites in the District of Columbia and environs. The site selection process also evaluated the candidate locations relative to ele- ments of the framework. Each location was assigned a level of significance based The process that was undertaken in the initial identification, evaluation, and short- on the planning and urban design principles described earlier in this report. The listing of the potential locations was, by necessity, iterative. The initial list of loca- elements of the framework were placed in the following order of importance: tions was both expanded and reduced on several occasions resulting in a final list of locations that was agreed upon for purposes of additional evaluation and refine-  Waterfront Crescent ment. A select list of prime locations was also identified and all sites were catego-  Monumental Corridors (Gateway Boulevards and Principal Avenues) rized as to prominence, size, availability, and numerous other factors.  Commemorative Focus Areas

The initial list of potential locations was a compilation of sites: Final Candidate Sites and Site Locations

 Identified by the A brief summary of each site was distributed to the members of the JTFM and other  Suggested by NCPC interested parties, including the Committee of 100, Advisory Neighborhood  Included in the NCPC Legacy Plan Commissions, District Council Members and staff, select staff from Congressional  Identified because they would complete or restore missing elements oversight committees, etc. After review and comment, a consensus was reached of the L'Enfant Plan and the final short-list of 100 Candidate memorial and museum sites was com-  Added by consensus of the JTFM and consultant team pleted. Figure 3-1 illustrates these sites with respect to the master plan framework. These 100 sites and site locations then underwent detailed analysis and evaluation Combining sites from each of these processes resulted in a total of 402 potential by the consultant team. sites for initial evaluation. Identification of Prime Sites Identification of Candidate Sites Initial Short-Listing of Candidate Sites All of the candidate sites are prominent locations capable of accommodating memorials or museums of national importance. Nevertheless, the relative signifi- NCPC conducted an initial analysis of the selected 402 potential memorial and cance of each site or site location varies depending upon how the site relates to the museum locations for the purpose of preparing a short-list of approximately 100 principles that underlie the framework. These principles include symbolic promi- candidate locations that would undergo more detailed urban design, transportation, nence, visual linkages, and aesthetic quality. The Prime Sites are those of the high- environmental, and economic evaluation. The process of preparing this short-list est order. Because of their high visibility and strong axial relationships with the of "Candidate" locations, as they were called, incorporated the following steps: U.S. Capitol and the White House, they should be reserved for subjects of lasting  Identifying and mapping various planning criteria identified as historical and national importance. applicable to the description and analysis of potential sites.  Developing site-specific evaluation criteria and preparing associated Of the 100 candidate sites, 20 are identified as prime sites. Nine of these are con- reference databases and maps. sidered to be current Prime Sites, or sites available for immediate development with  Applying evaluation criteria to potential locations. minimal changes while the other 11 Prime Sites are either dependent on implemen-  Weighing and ranking the potential locations. tation of Legacy proposals or would require some other modifications to enable  Short-listing candidate locations. development in the future. Twelve Prime Sites are under the jurisdiction of the  Gathering JTFM and agency review and comments on candidate locations. NPS. Although most of the Other Candidate Sites (those not designated as Prime)  Obtaining consensus. Candidate Sites Relative to the Design Framework are on National Park Service or General Services Administration lands, approxi-

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION 18 MEMORIALS AND MUSEUMS MASTER PLAN

mately 34 of the recommended sites are located on non-GSA or NPS lands (i.e., Economic Criteria other federal land, District of Columbia, WMATA, or private lands). Only eight of The nature of a memorial or museum–that is, who or what is being commemorated the recommended sites are on private property. or displayed–influences its associated economic status. However, for the purposes of the master plan, economic analysis focused on the ways in which adding a The remaining 80 candidate sites are not ranked. This is not to suggest, however, that memorial or museum to a candidate site would economically benefit the surround- they are not important sites. They are highly recommended because of either their ing area, and the region as a whole. The evaluation included analysis of a site’s linear visual connections between key existing and future commemorative features, existing economic uses (e.g., offices) and amenities (e.g., retail). their role in reinforcing the overall design structure of the Nation's Capital, or the sup- port they could provide to federal and local planning or development objectives. Transportation Criteria The evaluation of transportation at candidate sites addressed access requirements Site Evaluation Criteria and Process and constraints; the general magnitude of development that might be accommo- dated, given resources at the site; and potential transportation improvements. Six Site evaluations were performed on the 100 candidate sites to document the physi- modes of transportation were evaluated: Metrorail; Metrobus; pedestrian; water- cal and contextual characteristics of each site relative to its suitability and appropri- based vehicles; the Legacy circulator; and passenger vehicles. Access to each site, ateness for a commemorative feature. via these modes, was assessed based on factors such as walking distances, parking availability, and proximity to the waterfront and key roadways. The site evaluation included: Environmental Criteria  factors to consider in evaluating each candidate site In its environmental evaluation, the task force identified a number of environmental  Several specific questions for each factor issues pertaining to each site. Such issues include: sensitive ecological resources;  Values assigned to the potential responses to each criteria land uses and regulations; required physical alterations; environmental contamina- tion; and necessary infrastructure improvements. For the Prime Sites, the task force To assist in evaluating site suitability, the technical evaluation applied: (1) Planning consulted existing environmental documents and information. and Urban Design Criteria; (2) Economic Criteria; (3) Transportation Criteria; and (4) Environmental Criteria. A brief description of each criterion follows. For more Many of the Candidate Sites detailed background on the site evaluation criteria and process, consult the techni- feature direct views to Washington’s major monuments. cal master plan document.

Planning and Urban Design Criteria The physical characteristics, visual quality, and the presence of historic or cultural resources were evaluated as part of each site analysis. The site’s relevance to the master plan framework, along with its attractiveness and suitability as a potential memorial or museum destination, factored into the evaluation.

JOINT TASK FORCE ON MEMORIALS 19 Site Selection

Figure 3-1 Candidate Site Locations

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION 20 MEMORIALS AND MUSEUMS MASTER PLAN

With Prime Sites listed first, the 100 candidate sites are:

Candidate Memorial and Museum Sites

No. General Location/Description

Note: Sites #1 through 20 represent the Prime Sites

11 Walt Whitman Park along E Street between 19th and 20th Streets, NW 1 Memorial Avenue at George Washington Memorial (west of Memorial Bridge ) 12 On the Tidal Basin on west of 14th Street, SW E Street expressway interchange on the east side of the Kennedy Center (north of Outlet Bridge) 2 Intersection of and Independence Avenues, SW 13 In East Potomac Park on the Potomac River 3 (between 4th and 6th Streets) (at the current railroad and/or Metrorail bridges) Kingman Island (Anacostia River) 14 The intersection of New York and Florida Avenues 4 (and new Metrorail Station) on , NW between 13th -14th Streets 5 15 Pennsylvania Avenue and the Anacostia River Potomac River waterfront on Rock Creek Parkway 6 (at west end of the Sousa Bridge) (south of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge) 16 Anacostia River waterfront south shore in Anacostia Park, SE east of 19th Street 7 (old Architect of the Capitol nursery) (north of the Armory - current west entrance to RFK) 17 West of on McMillan Reservoir Grounds, NW terminus at the Anacostia River, SE/SW 8 (former sand filtration plant) (Florida Rock 'amenity' site) 18 South of Ash Road at the NPS horse stables site, West Potomac Park 10th Street Overlook at south end of L'Enfant Promenade, SW 9 19 The intersection of Maryland and Virginia Avenues, SW 10 Constitution Gardens south of (between 7th and 9th Streets) 20 Federal Building #2, north of Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA

JOINT TASK FORCE ON MEMORIALS Site Selection 21 On August 3, 2006 NCPC amended its Master Plan to reflect new legislation establishing a Reserve or no-build zone on the National Mall. To comply with the boundaries of the Reserve, NCPC removed the following four sites from its list of eligible locations for future memorials and museums:

 Site 10: Constitution Gardens south of Constitution Avenue

 Site 18: South of Ash Road at the National Park Service horse stables, West Potomac Park

 Site 43: Along the Potomac River shoreline in West Potomac Park (south of )

 Site 70: Along the Potomac River shoreline in West Potomac Park (west of FDR Memorial)

Figure 3-2 Prime Candidate Site Locations

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION 22 MEMORIALS AND MUSEUMS MASTER PLAN

21 Maryland Avenue near Anacostia Park and Langston Golf Course, NE 38 On the north shore of the Anacostia River (at 22nd Street) (immediately east of the Douglass Bridge, SE)

22 West shore of the Anacostia River at Massachusetts Avenue, SE 39 East Potomac Park on Washington Channel (between golf course and Hains Point, SW) 23 Anacostia Park, SE south of Anacostia River near the Douglass Bridge 40 East Potomac Park on Potomac River 24 Woodrow Wilson Plaza or Benjamin Franklin Circle (between golf course and Hains Point, SW) (12th or 13th Streets, south of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) 41 East of 14th Street and north of I-395 25 Northeast corner of Louisiana Ave and 1st Street, NW (within the Portals Project, SW on Maryland Avenue extended) 26 Washington Avenue (Canal Street) at 2nd Street, SW 42 East side of Washington Channel at Water Street and 7th Street, SW 27 In East Potomac Park on Washington Channel, facing 7th Street, SW 43 Along Potomac River shoreline in West Potomac Park 28 Daingerfield Island on George Washington Memorial Parkway (south of the Lincoln Memorial) (south of Reagan National Airport) 44 Edward Murrow Park (18th/19th) or James Monroe Park (20th/21st), (Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) 29 On the grounds of St. Elizabeths Hospital, SE 45 Franklin Square (between I, K, 13th, and 14th, Streets, NW ) 30 On the north shore of Oxon Cove, SW 46 In between M Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 31 Fort Davis Park north of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (Bowen Road and 38th Street) 47 Intersection of Massachusetts and Florida Avenues, NW at 22nd & Q Streets 32 Northeast corner of Maryland and Constitution Avenues, NE 48 Intersection of Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, NW at 3rd Street 33 Northeast corner of Maryland Avenue and D Street, NE 49 Intersection of Eastern Avenue and 16th Street, NW 34 Northeast corner of Pennsylvania and Independence Avenues, SE 50 D.C. side of Chain Bridge, NW 35 Intersection of Pennsylvania and South Carolina Avenues at D Street, SE (on Canal Road) (near Eastern Market Metrorail Station) 51 The intersection of Canal Road and Foxhall Road, NW (in Glover Archbold Park) 36 Circle at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenues, SE (near Potomac Avenue Metrorail Station) 52 The northern end of Key Bridge at M Street, NW (and the Whitehurst Freeway) 37 Anacostia River waterfront in the Southeast Federal Center, SE

JOINT TASK FORCE ON MEMORIALS Site Selection 23 On August 3, 2006 NCPC amended its Master Plan to reflect new legislation establishing a Reserve or no-build zone on the National Mall. To comply with the boundaries of the Reserve, NCPC removed the following four sites from its list of eligible locations for future memorials and museums:

 Site 10: Constitution Gardens south of Constitution Avenue

 Site 18: South of Ash Road at the National Park Service horse stables, West Potomac Park

 Site 43: Along the Potomac River shoreline in West Potomac Park (south of Lincoln Memorial)

 Site 70: Along the Potomac River shoreline in West Potomac Park (west of FDR Memorial)

Figure 3-3 Candidate and Prime Candidate Site Locations

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION 24 MEMORIALS AND MUSEUMS MASTER PLAN

53 North of Massachusetts Avenue, NW and Macomb Street 67 Pennsylvania Avenue east of the Sousa Bridge (east intersection with the (at Glover Archbold Parkway ) Anacostia Freeway on the Anacostia River)

54 Reservations 68 North shore of the Anacostia River in the Washington Navy Yard, SE (at Wisconsin/Nebraska Avenues and Yuma Street, NW) 69 North side of Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge 55 Potomac River at Rock Creek Parkway at west side of Kennedy Center (11th Street, east of Washington Navy Yard, SE)

56 East side of Rock Creek at the end of , NW 70 Along Potomac River shoreline in West Potomac Park (west of FDR Memorial) 57 On the Potomac River at the foot of (Georgetown Waterfront Park) 71 Intersection of Maryland and Florida Avenues and , NE

58 North of the Pentagon North Parking area (on Boundary Channel in 72 Maryland Avenue in the general location of the entrance to the Virginia) National Arboretum

59 On the Virginia side of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge 73 New Hampshire and Georgia Avenues, NW (-Petworth Metrorail Station) 60 25th Street on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (Either of two existing triangular parks on the Avenue)

61 New Washington Convention Center at (Massachusetts and New York, NW)

62 Intersection of New York and New Jersey Avenues and M Street, NW

63 Anacostia River north shoreline east of 11th Street (between the Martin Luther King Memorial and Sousa Bridges)

64 South side of Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge (11th Street, on the Anacostia River)

65 Virginia side of the 14th Street Bridge (location of former Twin Bridges Marriott)

66 The intersection of New York, West Virginia, and Montana Aves, NE

Near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Daingerfield Island represents one of many candidate sites located within parkland settings that could be suitable for a future memorial.

JOINT TASK FORCE ON MEMORIALS Site Selection 25

74 West shoreline of Kingman Lake in the Anacostia River 88 at Massachusetts and Western Avenues, NW (NE and SE of RFK Stadium) (at entrance to Dalecarlia Parkway)

75 Intersection of Massachusetts, South Carolina, 89 South of V Street, west of Half Street, SW and Independence Avenues, SE 90 Intersection of Georgia and Eastern Avenues, NW 76 Fort Chaplin Park on East Capitol Street 91 On 8th Street, NW on Barry Street (Banneker Recreation Center) (at approximately Fort Drive, west of Benning Road) 92 Glenwood Cemetery (north of and east 77 Southeast Federal Center at M Street, SE of North Capitol Street) 78 At Anacostia Metrorail Station south of Howard Road, SE 93 Fort Lincoln north of New York Avenue, NE (west of the Anacostia River) (on either WMATA or federal property) 94 On north side of Alabama Avenue, SE immediately east of St. Elizabeths 79 Rosslyn Gateway Park, Rosslyn Circle, or 1101 Wilson Boulevard (near Congress Heights Metrorail Station) (Arlington, VA) 95 On the north side of the National Museum of American History 80 Circle in front of entrance to historic terminal at Reagan Washington (14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW) National Airport 96 On Eastern Avenue and Barnard Hill Drive, NE 81 Marina on the Potomac River in Bolling Air Force Base, SW (between Rhode Island and Michigan Avenues) (between Chanute and Edwards Places) 97 At the intersection of M Street and Delaware Avenue, SW 82 Fort north of , SE, near 20th Street 98 Park triangles near the intersection of New Jersey and 83 Rhode Island Avenue Metrorail Station Massachusetts Avenues, NW

84 Fort Totten Metrorail Station (or located in Fort Totten Park) 99 Intersection of South Capitol Street and Anacostia Freeway (I-295–east side) 85 On U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home grounds, NW (west of North Capitol Street) 100 Adjacent to the Brentwood Maintenance Facility, New York Avenue, NE. (east of ) 86 Northwest corner of 16th Street and Military Road, NW (in Rock Creek Park)

87 South of Military Road (at 27th Street) or north of Military Road, NW (west of Oregon Avenue)

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION 26 MEMORIALS AND MUSEUMS MASTER PLAN

One of several recent concepts for a revitalized South Capitol Street with mixed land uses and new public spaces reaching from the U.S. Capitol to the Anacostia River waterfront

JOINT TASK FORCE ON MEMORIALS